(Chapter Forty-nine in a proposed book; Doctrine for Dummies)

I remember hitch-hiking in my late teens and early twenties. I’d stick out my thumb and hope for a car to pick me up. When a car stopped the driver would ask, “Where yuh headed?” And I’d give them a destination. They’d usually reply, “Hop in. I’m going that way.”

Life is a journey. We’re all headed somewhere. To those who believe in him, Jesus said they are going to his Father’s house where he will “prepare a place” for them. (See John 14:1-4.) At death believers go to heaven which is described in many ways, but in this passage as the Father’s house. It is a place of welcome, a place of happy hospitality, a place fitted especially for each believer’s enjoyment. Death is not the believer’s final destination, but rather a doorway into the glories of heaven.

Romans eight describes the spiritual journey leading to heaven as a transforming process with various stages. We read that “those God foreknew (loved before they were born), he also predestined…and those he predestined, he also called (through the gospel), those he called he also justified (declared forgiven and righteous); those he justified, he also glorified” (Romans 8:28,29).

To be glorified implies a radical transformation. Second Corinthians 4:16-18 explains that this world is a place of pain and sorrow and troubles. In this life, believers struggle to overcome the bent of their old nature towards sin. They face physical and emotional challenges. But as they daily trust in Christ to renew and strengthen their resolve to become godly, obedient disciples, their walk of faith achieves for them “an eternal weight of glory.” This “glory” involves transition through death into a state free from pain, sorrow, and sin. But it involves much more.

Three of his disciples saw Jesus shining with glory on the mount of transfiguration. This was a tiny foretaste of heaven. In John 17, Jesus prayed, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me” (John 17:24). For the believer, entering heaven will be as if the light suddenly goes on in a dark room. Or as if the sun bursts forth through dark, threatening clouds. Suddenly everything becomes bright and glorious. Believers are transformed—glorified—through seeing Christ in all his blazing glory. Believers will reflect that glory. They will see him as he is.

No wonder Chas Gabriel wrote,

When all my labors and trials are o’er,

And I am safe on that beautiful shore,

Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,

Will through the ages be glory for me.

Describing heaven using human language is challenging. Students of the Scripture describe believers’ entrance into heaven as glorification. Glory in the original languages denotes weight or worth. Coal is common and dirty but under great pressure diamonds may form. God takes us, if we are believers in Christ, and translates us at death from a state of negative worth into persons of glory, of light, of value. We become precious and beautiful through having become Christ-like. We shine forth—like the moon—not reflecting the sun but the glory of Christ. “It is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This process begins in this life. We “are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the “Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In this life we see God as through a broken tarnished mirror. But when we are glorified, we will have an explosion of insight and appreciation as the mysteries of God’s glory are unveiled before our astonished eyes. Worship and praise will keep bubbling up from deep within us.

Glorification implies enlightenment as our ignorance dissolves in a wave of understanding. We ask, “Why suffering? Why did this child or that young person die so early? Why does it take so long for an aged saint to pass on? Why war? Why such cruelty?” Why, why, why? “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Cor 13:12). Waves of understanding will wash away our perplexity.

Glorification also introduces us to a state of excited anticipation where we will ask ourselves, “what wonder will God unveil next?” Oh, during our Christian walk God has given us hints about the glories of heaven but; “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:9,10). The reality behind the images, the types, the hints will be unveiled before our wondering eyes. Heaven is not going to be boring!

Going to heaven does not complete the process of our transformation. As the Gospel Coalition explains, “Entering into God’s glory is a two-stage process. We must first overcome the damage caused by sin and then be transformed from the material to the resurrection world…The intermediate state; heaven; the eternal state; the new heavens and earth.” [1]

Glorification will only be complete when Christ returns to earth in power and glory. At that time we will receive our resurrection bodies. “We will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality” (See 1 Cor. 15:50-54).

Until that time—like the martyrs under the throne—we ask the Lord, “How long?” In heaven we will have an awareness of the unfolding of God’s eternal purpose and a longing to see that purpose fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth.

What a wonderful future awaits every child of God. Like a child anticipates a birthday party, like a bride anticipates her marriage, we look forward to heaven, the first stage in our glorification.

Are you bound for heaven? If you truly believe the Gospel; that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose from the dead, then you are heaven-bound. If not, sadly, hell is your destination. Please embrace the Gospel and be saved!

Wordsworth wrote:

Thou hast raised our human nature

On the clouds to God’s right hand;

There we sit in heavenly places,

There with thee in glory stand.

Jesus reigns, adored by angels,

Man with God is on the throne,

Mighty Lord in thine ascension

We by faith behold our own.

Reflections:

What will be our main focus in heaven?Glorification describes a state of being free from what?How does glorification involve a change of understanding?What is there about glorification that indicates the redeemed will not be bored?What aspects of glorification are you especially looking forward to?

Prayer: Glorified Lord fill my heart with the expectation and hope that comes from knowing that when this life ends, a new life begins in the place you have prepared for me. Take away the fear of death. Take away anxiety and discouragement that come when I face suffering and disappointment. Help me to rise each morning to face a new day with hope. Enable me to persevere in the certain knowledge that having been saved by the blood of Christ, I will be glorified. And I pray that you may return soon with the powerful display of glory you predicted.

(send me an email if you would like to be informed about the publication of this book. (wrightee@eagle.ca ) Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

[1] See https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/topics/glorification-resurrection-of-the-body/#:~:text=The%20first%20part%20of%20our,new%20heavens%20and%20new%20earth.